Chapter 103: Collecting Debts

Chapter 103: Collecting Debts

Though these two martial brothers exchanged few words,

the information conveyed was considerable.

From their conversation, it was not difficult to deduce that their original plan was for Zhan Ming to use someone else's hands to kill.

If the plan had succeeded, it would indeed have been cause for celebration.

However, since Su Mo had demonstrated his ability to kill four assassins in a narrow alley and was accompanied by Yang Xiaoyun,

their so-called scheme of using another’s hand to kill had an extremely low chance of success.

Indeed, Yang Xiaoyun judged that although the Sword Leader's martial arts were commendable, in a one-on-one fight, he might be slightly inferior to her.

Therefore... this scheme of using another’s hand to kill was not aimed at Su Mo at all.

It was aimed at Huaqianyu!

Once any incident occurs, news will inevitably spread.

By then, how could Huaqianyu not realize that this matter was directed at her?

As the instigator, Zhan Ming naturally couldn't remain uninvolved.

But...

Huaqianyu knew her own situation, but others did not.

Once this incident happened, even if she had a thousand mouths, she wouldn’t be able to explain herself clearly.

Ultimately, someone would link her to the assassination attempt on Su Mo.

Thus, the scheme to incite Wu Daoyou and the Iron Blood Escort Agency to join forces would have a mastermind behind it.

And when that happens, how could Wu Daoyou let it go?

The only person capable of breaking this deadlock is Zhan Ming!

His information will determine everything.

But... how easy is that?

Since Zhan Ming has colluded with Zuo Qiuyang and shares an unknown martial brother relationship,

at this critical juncture, his only option is to keep his mouth shut or even falsely accuse Huaqianyu.

Huaqianyu can either accept the blame and endure the humiliation,

or directly confront Wu Daoyou.

Alternatively, she might become entangled with other alliance leaders and face a joint attack from all sides.

In either case, the waters will be thoroughly muddied.

This is precisely the result Zuo Qiuyang desires.

Originally, everything was proceeding smoothly.

However, a crucial point went awry.

They assumed Zhan Ming would remain safely by Huaqianyu's side, but unexpectedly, after meeting Huaqianyu, he ended up at Wei Ruhan's residence.

How did this happen?

It leaves one pondering deeply.

Upon hearing this on the rooftop, Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun simultaneously turned their gaze toward Wei Ziyi.

Wei Ziyi grinned and made a gesture to keep quiet, signaling them to continue watching.

Yang Xiaoyun glanced at Su Mo, who nodded slightly, indicating she should remain calm.

In fact, Su Mo had already harbored suspicions about Wei Ziyi and Huaqianyu's relationship.

One reason was the coincidence of Zhan Ming falling into Wei Ziyi's hands.

Despite Huaqianyu mobilizing the entire city, she couldn't find him, yet he somehow ended up with Wei Ziyi.

Another aspect...

When Wei Ziyi referred to Wu Daoyou and Zuo Qiuyang, he used their names directly.

Yet, he always addressed Huaqianyu as Lady Huacheng.

Neither of these points alone was enough to raise Su Mo's suspicions, but together, they did. Hence, today, while observing Fang Yucheng and others changing carriages, he posed that question.

Now, it seems his suspicions were indeed correct.

...

...

Inside the hall, Zuo Qiuyang's face was grim.

"Huaqianyu directly handed you over to Wei Ruhan? How... could this be?"

"I... I don't understand it either."

Zhan Ming was also bewildered. "During this time, I have been imprisoned by the Dragon Confinement Finger and have remained at Wei Ruhan's residence. I have no knowledge of what has transpired outside. How... how did you know I was at the Sunset City Lord's Mansion?"

"...The news has spread like wildfire, saying that you were captured by the Wei family's young princess. Although she hasn't joined the Fallen Phoenix Alliance, she forbade internal strife within the alliance from harming innocents."

Zuo Qiuyang blurted this out instinctively but then suddenly realized something:

"Damn it! At first, I thought they wanted to use you to build momentum for the Wei family's eldest miss joining the Fallen Phoenix Alliance.

"Now it seems their plot goes far beyond that.

"Hua Qianyu and Wei Ruhan have long been in cahoots...

"So when she handed you over to Wei Ruhan..."

At this point, he suddenly looked around as if Wei Ruhan and Hua Qianyu had already arrived.

Su Mo and the others held their breath, not letting out a single sound. Zuo Qiuyang searched for a moment but found nothing amiss, slightly relieved.

He asked, "Did anyone follow you on your way back?"

"No."

It was Fang Yucheng who spoke, having just returned through the main entrance and entered the hall.

He bowed to Zuo Qiuyang and said, "I've been careful all along; no one has been following us."

"...That's good."

Zuo Qiuyang breathed a slight sigh of relief but looked at Zhan Ming with a complex expression.

Zhan Ming knew Zuo Qiuyang well and could tell from his gaze that something was wrong. His face changed immediately:

"Senior Brother... you... what are you going to do?"

Zuo Qiuyang sighed. "I originally thought that even though you would suffer some torment staying by Hua Qianyu's side, you would at least survive. However, Hua Qianyu and Wei Ruhan... Ha, although I don't know the intricacies, your role has been completely overlooked.

"Wu Daoyou, despite his great abilities, is no match for them together.

"The only way to turn the tables now is... to let you die."

Zhan Ming's eyes instantly became vacant, and he shook his head subconsciously: "Senior Brother... you can't... you can't kill me..."

But Zuo Qiuyang paid no attention to what he said, muttering to himself:

"If you die, I can say that Hua Qianyu killed you to silence you.

"She killed you to prevent you from revealing the 'truth' to Wei Ruhan!

"The dirt on her will never be washed away.

"However, Wu Daoyou alone is not a match for her and Wei Ruhan.

"Luckily, although there seems to be some connection between Wei Ruhan and her, they won't easily expose it.

"There is room for maneuver here. I just need to fan the flames and make other alliance leaders wary of Hua Qianyu. By pushing things openly and secretly, it won't be hard to muddy the waters again.

"Muddying the waters makes it easier for us to act... Little Brother, don't you agree?"

His gaze towards Zhan Ming was filled with cold determination.

"Senior Brother... no, you can't kill me!"

Zhan Ming shook his head frantically: "I'm your junior brother! I followed your orders and hid by Hua Qianyu's side, obeying everything you said. How... how can you kill me?"

"Good little brother."

Zuo Qiuyang looked deeply at Zhan Ming: "Help Senior Brother one last time. I promise I'll give you a grand funeral so you won't leave this world alone. Your wife passed away early, but I know you still have a concubine. Don't worry, I'll take care of her. Unfortunately, you didn't leave any heirs, but it doesn't matter. I have many sons. Tell me which one you like, and I'll have him change his surname to Zhan... adopt him as your son, okay?"

Zhan Ming was terrified, his blood running cold.

In a fit of rage, he exclaimed: "Zuo Qiuyang! You... you're despicable! Plotting to assassinate that young escort and trying to sow distrust among the alliance leaders—your methods are vile and shameless.

"Using me to achieve your goals, and now discarding me like a used rag!

"I've done everything for you, and this is how you treat me? Aren't you afraid that those who follow you will feel sorrow for my fate?"

As he spoke, Zuo Qiuyang flicked his finger.

The strike wasn't particularly fierce but aimed straight for Zhan Ming's forehead.

After pointing, Zuo Qiuyang turned his head slightly, seemingly unable to bear watching.

Suddenly, a whistling sound broke the air.

With a piercing whistle, it reached Zuo Qiuyang in an instant.

He turned abruptly: "Who's there!?"

The finger that was aimed at Zhan Ming redirected into the air.

What flew through the air was a piece of tile, imbued with powerful inner strength.

Zuo Qiuyang's finger stopped the tile three inches from his fingertip.

The force from his finger and the inner strength in the tile clashed, creating a stalemate.

Buzz buzz buzz!!!

A faint humming sound echoed in the void as Zuo Qiuyang tapped his foot on the ground. With a grunt, the marble floor beneath him cracked instantly.

As he channeled his inner strength, a crack suddenly appeared on the tile floating in mid-air.

In the next instant, the crack had spread across the entire tile.

With a loud boom!

A powerful gust of wind swept out from the tile as its center.

Zuo Qiuyang took four consecutive steps backward, each leaving a deep footprint on the marble floor.

After four steps, he finally regained his balance.

His gaze swept over, and the chair where Zhan Ming had been sitting was now empty.

Turning back, he saw four people standing at the entrance of the hall, three of them perfectly fine.

The three young people consisted of one man and two women, while the other was Zhan Ming.

Zhan Ming was being held by a woman as if she were carrying a rag doll. She glanced at Zhan Ming and chuckled lightly:

"Great Hero Zhan, had you known this would happen, it would have been better to stay in our city lord's mansion. At least you would still be alive."

Zuo Qiuyang's expression changed dramatically:

"You... you are?"

"Cold Moon Palace, Wei Ziyi."

Wei Ziyi smiled gently: "Alliance Leader Zuo, your skills are impressive. You can turn the tide with a mere gesture; truly admirable."

"Wei Ziyi..."

Zuo Qiuyang repeated her name, then nodded: "So it's Princess Wei who has arrived."

At this point, he suddenly looked at Fang Yucheng.

Fang Yucheng frowned tightly: "It was my oversight."

"No matter."

Zuo Qiuyang shook his head lightly: "Princess Wei is a rare guest we usually cannot invite even if we wanted to. For her to come here uninvited is indeed a great honor. I feel blessed, and she should stay for a few more days."

"Hahaha."

Wei Ziyi couldn't help but laugh aloud: "Is Alliance Leader Zuo planning to keep us here? Do you think you have what it takes?"

Zuo Qiuyang placed his left hand behind his back, slightly shaking it, and shook his head:

"The three of you are indeed skilled, but alas, reckless. To dare enter my residence alone, who gave you such courage?"

As he spoke, the sound of synchronized footsteps approached swiftly.

Within moments, the hall was surrounded layer upon layer.

Wei Ziyi lifted her gaze and casually pulled out a token from her sleeve, raising it high:

"The Phoenix Cry Token is here. All members of the Fallen Phoenix Alliance, heed this order! Who dares defy it?"

"A Wei token?"

Zuo Qiuyang raised an eyebrow and smiled: "Miss Wei's actions might disappoint many. Using the Wei token in my territory is like ignoring me entirely."

Indeed, those surrounding them did not retreat upon seeing the Phoenix Cry Token.

Their eyes cold, they waited for Zuo Qiuyang's command to charge forward.

Wei Ziyi was not surprised by this. She glanced at Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun and stuck out her tongue:

"I knew you wouldn't care."

Su Mo shook his head: "Miss Wei, why play games now? If you have any tricks, use them. Otherwise, let me take my revenge first."

"Just a moment..."

Wei Ziyi hurriedly said: "They should be here soon."

As she spoke, hurried footsteps approached.

Someone parted the crowd and entered the hall, kneeling on one knee, looking panicked: "City Lord, the Flower City Lord has led a large group outside... demanding that we hand over..."

He paused, glancing at Zhan Ming in Wei Ziyi's grip, then continued:

"Hand over Zhan Ming! Saying it's to give Third Alliance Leader Wu Daoyou an explanation!"

Zuo Qiuyang turned sharply to Wei Ziyi: "Was it you?"

"Yes."

Wei Ziyi nodded: "Since we came to Heavenly Feather City, it's only right to greet the Flower City Lord. Now that we have evidence, Alliance Leader Zuo won't escape easily!"

"Well, well, Princess Wei, you've certainly opened my eyes."

Zuo Qiuyang's face darkened: "But I don't understand why Huaqianyu would listen to a little girl like you. Is it because... she's colluding with Wei Ruhan?"

"Colluding? That's quite a harsh word."

Wei Ziyi shook her head, then shook Zhan Ming in her hand: "Do you want to live or die?"

"Naturally, I want to live."

Zhan Ming knew by now what his only lifeline was.

"Good."

Wei Ziyi said with a smile, "When City Lord Flower comes in, you should tell him your plan exactly as it is. Your senior brother is unreliable. He killed you and wanted to take over your mistress. It's foolish to be loyal to someone like that.

"Explain the situation clearly, and I'll put in a good word for you in front of City Lord Flower. At the very least, you can leave this turbulent place and live freely."

"That... that would be entirely up to Miss Wei."

Zhan Ming subconsciously swallowed, feeling that life and death hung on this one turn of events.

Wei Ziyi nodded satisfactorily.

"Enough, enough..."

Zuo Qiuyang let out a long sigh at this moment.

Yue Hua led her people to attack the residence, breaking into it in an instant.

He had intended to kill Zhan Ming to silence him, but Wei Ziyi and the others saved him.

At this point, while it wasn't yet hopeless, the situation had become extremely perilous.

A cold light flashed in his eyes, and he said icily:

"You're forcing me to eliminate witnesses!"

"Eliminate witnesses?"

Su Mo couldn't help but laugh: "Alliance Leader Zuo... you have quite the nerve."

"And who are you?"

Zuo Qiuyang asked, then shook his head: "Never mind, whoever you are, today, you all stay!"

With these words, everyone inside and outside the hall attacked simultaneously.

The outer guards drew their swords, stepping forward to kill indiscriminately.

Suddenly, a dragon's roar echoed, and Yang Xiaoyun's spear pierced through a throat in an instant. One person felt a blur before them and was already dead from the spear point.

Yang Xiaoyun then swept her spear, carrying the corpse, and the guards who had drawn their swords fell to the ground.

The Dragon's Eight Desolate Points Cloud Spear technique, combining both simplicity and finesse, was formidable against many opponents.

With this opening move, she plunged into the crowd, her spear transforming into a dragon soaring through the sky, with blood clouds forming around it. Each strike made the blood even more vivid.

Wei Ziyi held Zhan Ming in one hand and drew a soft sword from her waist with the other, making a clattering sound.

As three black-clothed men approached, they saw a cold moonlight flash, and a single thrust of the sword claimed a life.

The sword flicked, sending a gust of air flying, and the other two black-clothed men, recognizing the danger, retreated. Wei Ziyi leaped forward, holding Zhan Ming in one hand and wielding the sword in the other, pursuing them.

Only Fang Yucheng headed towards Su Mo.

Known as the Marvelous Gentleman, he had extraordinary talent and could mimic any martial arts after seeing them a few times. Now, with both palms raised, he used his signature technique, aiming to kill Su Mo first before helping others.

Unexpectedly, Su Mo didn't even look at him and casually threw a punch.

"How dare you!"

Fang Yucheng's face darkened as he gathered all his inner strength, determined to show Su Mo his power.

But Su Mo's punch, though seemingly ordinary, arrived swiftly, evading his palm winds and striking his chest.

Fang Yucheng's body jolted, and blood spurted from his back.

One punch, one death!

Su Mo grabbed the man's collar and threw him towards Zuo Qiuyang.

Zuo Qiuyang didn't expect Fang Yucheng's fate to be decided so quickly. Seeing the corpse coming at him, he had no choice but to reach out to block it.

As soon as his palms touched the corpse, he felt an overwhelming force, identical to the earlier tile's impact.

*Stomp, stomp, stomp!*

Zuo Qiuyang used all his strength but still stumbled backward, unable to fully deflect the force. The corpse slammed into his chest, sending him flying and rolling several times in mid-air before landing.

Before he could speak, he spat out a mouthful of blood, his face filled with horror: "Who... who are you?"

"A debt collector."

Su Mo stepped forward: "I have a life debt to settle with Alliance Leader Zuo."